Complaint-Free: Who Me? As I thumbed through a copy of A Complaint-Free World five years ago, I considered myself the most optimistic, positive, encouraging (and obviously humble) person I knew. In fact, I joked to my husband that we needed to buy two (maybe three) dozen copies to give the long list of negative people in my life who drag me down with their never-ending complaints, criticism, and gossip. Than I read a little farther. And the author had the nerve to suggest that of all the negative people in my life, I might be the worst of the worst! That. …
Because They are Listening
“Jesus help me,” I whispered barely audible. My last nerve pulled tight. My eyes flashed with anger. Hot words piled up in my mind begging to be released. “Jesus,” I breathed. “I can’t do this. Help me. Please help me.” “Mommy, why are you saying help me?” I didn’t even know she could hear me. “I am frustrated sweetheart and I don’t want to do or say anything in anger. So I asked Jesus to help me – do what is right and be a good mommy.” “Oh,” she wrinkled her nose and ran off. Our kids actually listen. When …
A Mother’s Heart…Unmet Needs
Harried from too many tasks on her day’s schedule, she stumbled into bed, falling asleep almost before her head hit the pillow. Rising in the morning, she had a strange feeling something wasn’t right, but she could not put her finger on it. Dismissing it, she hurriedly dressed and mumbled a few quick prayers. With four kids, one husband, a slew of pets, and a busy calendar, she had plenty to do each day. Throughout her day, thoughts of her weaknesses filled her head: I wish I could handle my time better. I wish I had more strength to meet …
Investing Time In Our Children’s Interests
By Featured Guest: Amanda Beth Today I spent 15 minutes and $5.00, and made a world of difference in two darling girl’s lives. When my daughter and her friend get together they are so creative. They usually plan for days what they are going to do before their play dates. Today, they created a gift shop and beauty salon. They’ve been planning this one for weeks, making signs, jewelry, hair accessories, and craft items to be ready for their shop. They were so excited when I accepted their invitation to browse their store, and even more excited when I …
Facing our Fears
What’s a mom to do when her child who never minded being passed around a room of eager relatives freaks out at the sound of a flushing toilet? Are childhood anxieties real? The day my four year old screamed from the back of our mini-van in the Hobby Lobby parking lot, I hoped everyone around me believed childhood worries are real. Fears are not because of anything moms do wrong; childhood fears are part of being a child. Instead of finding the quickest way to squelch a panic, a wise mom knows fears are not only normal, they are the …
The Irony of the Empty Nest
How painfully hard it is to watch as the momma bird nudge her little babies out of the nest. They desperately try to cling to the wiry branches that had once been meticulously placed there by their parents. It was their home… all they ever knew. They were carefully cared for while they nestled in the twig-lined tree house yet a whole wide world awaited them beyond their little bungalow suspended between two limbs. But it’s time for her babies to soar. It was what they were created for. It’s ironic, you know? You raise them up to let them go. I know …
The Happiest She’s Been in 45 Years
a poem about mothers, daughters, and Alzheimer’s Disease (to view as a video, click here.) She was happy once upon a time long long ago. Then, all changed. She birthed a baby girl. She moved 3,000 miles to an unknown land: California, where women wore white after Labor Day. And she tried. Oh, how hard she tried to make everything just right so I could be happy. I didn’t care about leveling off the measuring cup with the back of the knife whether the salad fork went on the left or the right if dinner was served precisely at 6:00 …
Recipes from M.O.M.
Pizza Made Healthy Pizza is an all-time favorite for kids and adults, but it doesn’t have to be an artery-clogger to be good. Just change your ingredients a bit and you’ll enjoy the flavor without all the fat. INGREDIENTS: (Add your favorite veggies – here’s what we like) 2 Whole wheat pre-made crust 1 Jar Pizza Sauce (16 oz.) 2 Tablespoons Pesto Sauce 1 Medium Size Tomato – Sliced 1 Medium Onion 1 Can Large Olives 1/2 Cup Sliced Mushrooms (The taste better if you cut them yourself instead of buying them already sliced) 1 Cup Spinach (Rinsed & Dried) …
Mama Needs A Time-Out
Hi sweet moms! Steph here! I wanted to share about an exciting opportunity to pre-order Heather Riggleman’s new book, Mama Needs A Time Out and let you know it’s coming out in just a few of weeks.! As most of you know, Heather is one of the M.O.M.s here at The M.O.M. Initiative and we’re so happy for Heather and so excited about how her book will help moms draw closer to God in midst of motherhood. Mama Needs A Time Out is taking pre-orders for digital copies at eChristain and is releasing May 8th, if not sooner. Here is the …
Transform Discipline with Debriefing
I sighed and prayed as I walked to her bedroom. She wailed, fearful of her punishment. Earlier she spoke out of anger and frustration. Her disrespectful words hit their mark. Anger flashed in my eyes, my tone betrayed my wrath, but by God’s grace I did not yell – a sign of His fruit in my life. I opened the door and encouraged her to calm down. She took heaving breaths as tears soaked her bed. When she quieted we talked. It was a humbling time for both of us. We admitted our faults and failures. Then talked about how …